The Breakfast Grille

In this Dec 2012 interview, Bufori Motor Car Company Managing Director Gerry Khouri discusses: - Update to business; - Production - R&D - market demand; - Handmade - production time - challenges; - Local manufacturing - misunderstanding - knowledge deficit - issues - component procurement - customs - challenges; - Importance of passion - whether doused due to policies - govt blockages; - Auto industry - 'hub' desires - whether unrealistic; - Possibility of leaving Malaysia;- Labour issues: inconsistency - quality - issues; - The Bufori name - brand conscious clientele - overcoming prejudices; - Importance of provenance - overcoming prejudice; - China and Middle East - biggest overseas markets -- the appeal - strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dorsett Hospitality International President and Executive Director Winnie Chiu discusses: - 3- to 4- Star Segment positioning; - ‘Chinese Wallet’ strategy - reported global slowdown; - Rooms - portfolio - inventory - revenue management; - Rates structure - comparables - price brackets; - Owners - ‘feel’ the hotel industry; - Reaching optimal market mix - strategy; - 95% of rooms owned - issues; - Adjusted EBITDA margins of @ 46% - details; - Sentiment - non-existent - divesting if returns good - details; - China slowing - outward-bound China and HK travel - Dorsett strategy; - Segment margin - China - negative territory - issues; - Far East - parent - still owns over 73% of Dorsett - plans to free up some shares; - Discount to net Assets per share - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moorad Choudhry, Treasurer at Corporate Banking Division at The Royal Bank of Scotland, discusses: - Lower-return regime - primary challenge facing banks right now; - Reduction in value-added proposition in certain sectors or products - withdraw - job losses; - Strategy proposition - back-to-basics mode - less focus on Return on Equity and more on genuine value-added -  e.g. risk-adjusted ROE; - Asia banks - Universal Bank model - CIMB - risks in pursuing this strategy going forward; - Whether new liquidity regime imposed by Basel III too onerous from the standpoint of choking GDP and growth; - Cash as a 'safe' haven.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel, the central bank, and former Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, discusses his growth outlook for US and the Eurozone, and developments in Israel, and thoughts on the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KKR & Co, one of the largest private equity firms in the world, opens an office in Singapore. Ming Lu, the head of the Southeast Asian operations, talks about the type of companies KKR would invest in, whether they would need to scale down their expectations in Malaysia, and how to convince Asian families to share ownership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Etiqa Insurance and Takaful Bhd CEO Hans De Cuyper discusses: - Insurance industry - perceptions - Insurance Agent - motivation - remuneration - review of agents commission; - Broad industry growth: conventional vs takaful - update; - Targets: gross written premiums - AUMs - issues - details; - PRS - issues; - Investment income - low-rate environment - strategy - repercussion - pricing; - Investible assets - MGS - Sukuk - default rates; - Expansion: Indonesia - strategy - timelines - difficulties - challenges; - Management: cultural divide - ongoing issue; - Sector consolidation - growth - organic vs M&A - valuations; - 31% Owner Ageas SA - financials - position in Asia/Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Glomac Bhd GMD/CEO Datuk FD Iskandar discusses: - Sentiment - said to be shifting to medium-end and into landed from high-rise - whether true; - Glomac - said to be a firm in the mid-level, positioning-wise - wisdom of strategy; - Rates - outlook - still expansionary - China booming - imported inflation in 2013; - Speculation clampdown - issues - RPGT (Budget 2013) issues - impact on sales; - REHDA: Build then sell - sell then build - conundrum - deadline 2015; - REHDA: Affordable housing - issues; - 315m in cash @ end-Q1 in July -- Landbank -- or acquisitions; - M&A - options - On record as saying you are looking at buying smaller property firms or boutique firms - issues; - Regionalisation - EPF - London - Battersea etc -- views - participatory; - Presence in Australia .. which is slipping?- Socio-political landscape - issues; - Role in politics and UMNO -- extent of help - landbank replenishment, approvals, financing etc; - Talk - candidate - Selangor CM - issues; - Reports - Tun Daim - Najib - a ‘general without soldiers’ - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Ami Klin, founder of Autism Science Foundation explains what causes autism and rules out that vaccination is a cause. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Teo, CEO of Metrowealth International Group. Arguably one of Malaysia’s top film producers, he’s made 82 movies, more than half of which has hit box office status. His company, Metrowealth International Group, was behind 15 of the 53 movies released in Malaysia this year so far. So how do you win, in an industry so vulnerable to the whims and fancies of its audience? We pose that question to David Teo CEO of Metrowealth International Group, the production house behind movies such as The “Jangan Pandang Belakang” series, Kongsi, and Adnan Sempit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alvin Roth, Co-Winner of the 2012 Nobel Economics Prize, discusses: - Early work of Co-Winner Lloyd Shapley;- Misallocation of scarce resources;- Shapley's work in ‘Game Theory’ - evaluate, in a numerical way, decisions in games and other interactions between people; - Being drawn to a 'more useful purpose' for what could often seem arcane mathematical riddles; - Roth's chance to put ideas into practice - 1999 - match young doctors to their first jobs as residents; - 2003 - redesign system that determined how students were assigned to schools in New York City; - Work on the New York City high school applications system - 2003; - So-called ‘unstable outcomes’.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sapurakencana Petroleum Bhd Executive Chairman Dato' Mokhzani Mahathir discusses: - Kencana - Sapura - merger - progress - systems / workforces; - Wisdom of warp-speed merger and acquisition - justification; - Financial terms - Seadrill deal - valuation - issues; - High Debt/EBITDA ratio - issues; - John Fredriksen - billionaire major owner of Seadrill - join the board - issues; - Seadrill - double stake in SKP to about 13 percent - issues; - Brazil - potential - prospects - - SKP - merger - concerns - lack of substantial cost-saving opportunities  - ability to hire highly skilled labour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Magna Prima Berhad CEO Dato' Rahadian Mahmud discusses: - CEO promotion; - Broad update on the property sector; - The Istana in Melbourne - maiden venture abroad - reasons; - Internal expertise; - Aussie property market - said to be on a downtrend - issues; - Pricing - insights; - Future - further investment in Australia - data points; - Malaysia Market for luxury / upmarket developments; - KLCC Development - Lai Meng Girl’s School - details; - Jalan Gasing - project - details; - Shah Alam - project - details; - Adoption of IC Interpretation 15 (IC15) - lumpy revenue - plans to flatten - build asnd sell - issues; - Landbank replenishment; - Son of Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob, former UMNO Sec-Gen, Pahang Chief Minister, Information Minister and now Malacca Governor - political connections - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iclif Leadership & Governance Centre CEO Rajeev Peshawaria discusses: - Impetus behind joining; - Financials - Opex - Staffing - KPIs; - Corporate Governance - Asia - CLSA Report -  transgressions - Sun Hung Kai - Olympus - Asia-wide CG remit; - Concentrated ownership - issues - board independence - CEO/Chairman Separation - Enforcement - ‘Unseen Hand’ - SC-Sime-E&O - individual director remuneration; - Malaysia - CG performance - Asian perspective -- drivers; - Financial sector - bank trust survey - early impressions; - Global banks - leadership flaws - Goldmans - Greg Smith case - Morgan Stanley - Facebook selective disclosure - issues; - ‘Leader’ definition -  “A Better Future” - Former employers; - Power distance - Malaysia worst ranking in all of Asia - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aker Solutions President for Subsea, Dave Hutchinson, discusses: - The Subsea business; - Investment in Malaysia - market share of subsea production technologies; - Clientele - target market; - $60m manufacturing plant - Pekan - reasons; - Contracts - Pipeline; - Asia - exploration - deal pipeline; - Politics - contract negotiations; - Exploration - deep and ultra deep water - impact - technology; - BP spill - dangers; - Peak Oil - theory flaws - North Sea.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

His Excellency Chai Xi, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia, discusses: -- his tenure here in Malaysia and the changes he's seen -- substantial bilateral achievements this year -- trade and economic co-operation between Malaysia and China -- the imbalance in bilateral investment and what can be done to narrow the gap -- an update on the joint-venture project between Malaysia and China: Qinzhou Industrial Park in China and its sister industrial park in Kuantan -- challenges in investing in China, in terms of intellectual property protection and bureaucracy -- the overlapping claims over waters and islands in the South China Sea and how this could affect ties between Malaysia and China -- China's preference to resolve competing claims bilaterally, as opposed to having multilateral or regional talks -- US elections and which presidential candidate would be better for US-China relations -- China's once-in-a-decade leadership changes happening on ThursdaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McDonald’s Singapore and Malaysia Regional Manager, Sarah Casanova, makes a comeback on the Breakfast Grille! She give us an update on the latest from McDonald's -- the launch of the first McCafe in Malaysia, as well as their bullish expansion plans. She also answers YOUR questions: Find out if the popular GCB will be a permenant fixture on the McDonald's menu, if they plan to introduce healthy options like yoghurt and granola, and what is it takes to be a McDonald's franchisee!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Publicis Malaysia CEO Dean Bramham discusses: - “costdiving”; - client challenges - play agencies off against each other - client management - expectations - switching agencies - whether this is the biggest challenge for ad agencies?; - talent shortages; - salaries and remuneration; - rising wages - passing on to client; - Creative - 'sweatshop'; - ‘Idea Vultures’; - whether need for regulatory body - protect ideas and creativity - 4As; - people skills; - new business -- avenues; - ASEAN - single P&L; - Merging ASEAN offices - challenges; - Disparate industry practices - ASEAN; - Digital - challenges; - Billings -- annually - rankings; - Local knowledge - value of.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SME Bank, a merger of Bank Industri and part of Bank Pembangunan, and 100% owned by the Ministry of Finance, is cleaning up its balance sheet, improving productivity, and trying to expand its services to include venture capital financing. Datuk Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus was appointed as managing director in 2010 to turn around the bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chen Tien Yue, Executive Director and fourth generation of the founding family of the iconic Malaysian brand, Royal Selangor. He discusses: -- The history of the company -- How the family has managed to keep the business within the fold -- What it's like working with family -- Evolution of the Royal Selangor brand -- The design and innovation of Royal Selangor products -- Its recent collaboration with the National Palace Museum of Taiwan -- Royal Selangor's overseas presence -- How acquiring the 350-year-old sterling silver brand Comyns almost two decades ago has boosted the business -- Royal Selangor's sister brand, jeweller Selberan -- Managing the rising cost of silver and tin -- Succession plans for the company To watch the video of the interview: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26531763See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Gomes, Vice President and Google Fellow at Google Inc., discusses:  - In years spent developing Search - the biggest challenges you faced - learning points;  - Adwords - downsides: manipulating search results - search engine optimization (SEO) industry - whether one of the unfortunate consequences of creation;  - Keeping search algorithms secret - difficulty;  - Changing search algorithm - time, money and effort spent - how successful has it been; - 2011 - overhaul of search algorithm - 'Google’s Panda Update' - successful?  - Concern, - transition from a search quality perspective to a user happiness perspective;  - Apple's Siri - How Google is fighting back;  - The future of search - based on context, not on queries;  - Whether much more user input is needed in the forms of metrics and preferences - the need for a second layer of detail;  - Android phones - handicapped - inability to upgrade - how working to overcome;  - Court ruling against Samsung in favor of Apple - copyright infringements - impact on Voice Search;  - Concern: the extent of information that Google know about us;  - Whether Google will one day turn this against the very people they currently seek to serve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelvin Tan the CEO of Southeast Asia for the Columbia Asia Group discusses its unique business proposition, bringing fast and efficient service and value-for-money treatment to residential areas in Malaysia. He talks about how their hospitals are relatively smaller in comparison to other private hospitals and how this makes them run more efficiently and helps keep costs down. Columbia Asia's patients stay and average of only two days in their hospitals, due to advances in medical technology and non-invasive treatment. And with 10 medical facilities thoughout Malaysia already, Columbia Asia is bullish on expanding as Kelvin talks about their expansion plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Clare Head of Country Management for market expansion service provider DKSH, discusses the Malaysian business: its operations, challenges within the industry and the opportunities for growth.  Also, recently DKSH released the Second Global Market Expansion Services Report, in a joint effort with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. In the interview, he discusses some of the key findings from the report and what that means for the DKSH and the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auditor General of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Haji Ambrin Buang, discusses: --  why there was a delay in releasing the report --  if the Budget and A-G's Report will continued to be separated --  the process of auditing the government and the challenges --  why weaknesses in project planning, procurement of equipments, handling of contracts, and maintenance, were repeated each year despite being reprimanded by the Auditor General --  if there is a common perception that the public service seems to be indifferent to the audit findings and suggestions, and that it does not seem to learn from past mistakes --  ministries, agencies and departments that showed marked improvements in this year’s report --  remedial action of past years’ reports See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russia has been emerging from the shackles of a Communist era to welcome foreign investors and trade partners. The market of 142 million people is irresistible and Singapore has been actively promoting trade between both countries and has direct flights. Malaysia appears to be behind the game. Lyudmila Vorobyeva, Russian ambassador to Malaysia, and Russia's only woman ambassador, talks about the opportunities and staunchly defends President Vladimir Putin, and the countrys' record of corruption, barriers of doing business, and quality of medical education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Heatherwick, the designer of the London Olympics cauldron, the Seed Cathedral for the UK pavilion in the World Expo Shanghai, and London's double decker bus talks about his inspiration and design philosophy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Simon Foong, the managing director and CEO of Aquaria KLCC, shares the story of how an oceanarium -- right in the heart of KL -- came to be.  He also discusses:  -- the initial capital investment -- the design and construction of Aquaria -- revenue from ticket and retail sales -- expenditure on maintainance of the tanks, pumps and marine life -- how Aquaria gets the animals and fishes -- if they breed or mate the animals -- getting the right staff: aquarists, marine biologists, etc -- Aquaria's conservation campaigns: ‘Saving the Turtles’ and ‘Save Our Fins’  -- his plans for 'Rimbaria' and what else is in store for AquariaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Al-Rajhi Bank has established 25 banks in Malaysia. Financing and advances is RM3.7 billion as at end-2011. Total assets is RM6.1 billion. But profits are still small - RM472,000 in 2011, and reserves is a negative RM243 million. How will Al-Rajhi differentiate itself under Datuk Azrulnizam Abdul Aziz, the CEO who was appointed in early 2012? And will the US Senate findings that Al-Rajhi group had financed terrorist organisations curtail its expansion beyond Malaysia? (Al-Rajhi denies involvement in such activities)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Jeffrey Ng Chin Heng, Managing Director of LBI Capital Berhad, gives us an update on their current projects in Bandar Saujana Putra, Petaling Jaya, Johor, and Puchong, among others. He also discusses the company's landbank, following the acquisition of land in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as his outlook on the overall property market.  Click on the link to watch the video of the interview! http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26179276See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

K.H Lim, Managing Director, SGL Carbon Sdn. Bhd., discusses:  - How SGL - addressing global problems like energy efficiency, finding alternative energy sources or protecting the climate; - August 2006 - announced Banting - electrode plant - expanded to include cathodes production - background to decision to locate in Malaysia; - Banting production as a percentage of global sales target; - Additional 32 acres of land near existing facility that may be developed in the future to produce carbon based advanced materials - issues; - SGL Carbon was been given 10-year tax free incentives by the government to set up the facility in Banting - benefits to Malaysia; - Steel industry - consolidation - China FTA - upstream monopoly - issues; - BCG - recommendation of a steel council - issues; - SGL as a desired asset - BMW has 15% - Volkswagen has 8.18% - Susanne Klatten - heiress of the Quandt family has 26 per cent - issues; - Malaysia as springboard to Asia -- why - how - when - where - details; - How does KL - Malaysia lend itself as a springboard; - Whether spooked by political uncertainty - crime - rising costs - other issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

H&M, a Swedish brand and the world's second largest fast fashion retailer plays catch up with Zara and finally comes to Malaysia. Known for its affordable and fashionable clothes and large format stores, H&M differentiates by collaborating with designers, fashion names like Anna Dello Russo, and celebrities like David Beckham. Lex Keijser, the Country Manager of Greater China, Singapore and Malaysia tells what's in store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Chew, the Executive Director of Main Board-listed industrial rubber hose manufacturer, Wellcall Holdings.  He explains Wellcall's business proposition and their approach to competition & growth. Alex also talks about the company's expansion plans, after announcing in June that it was planning to buy an additional 8 acres of lands near its existing factory. Wellcall has a dividend policy of 50% but over the past few years, they've paid up to 98% of profits in dividends to shareholders. So can Wellcall sustain its dividends, what with the factory expansion over the next few quarters? Listen to the podcast to find out more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Mazalan Kamis, the CEO of the Malaysian Innovation Foundation / Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM). He discusses how YIM plans to promote creativity and innovation at the grassroots level. He also shares his thoughts on rote learning in the education system and YIM's afforts to get children to be more creative, innovative and to think laterally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sathis Manoharan, Regional Head for AirAsia & AirAsia X Cargo. He discusses how AirAsia Cargo got started, despite it being unconventional for a low cost carrier to have a cargo division. He also shares how he was roped in to head the AirAsia Cargo, even without any aviation or freight experience, and the steep learning curve that came with setting up a business from the ground up. With the acute turnaround time of low-cost carriers, we learn of the processes that were put in place to harmonise the passenger and cargo operations. Find out how Mumbai's Dabawallas gave him the idea to improve the handling process and drastically reduce human errors. You can also view the interview at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26018298See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yaw Seng Heng, Managing Director for Nippon Paint Malaysia discusses the growth of the business in the decorative, industrial, and marine & protective coatings segment. He shares Nippon Paint's strategies to increase its market share and how they've managed to claim the No.1 spot in the decorative paint industry. Yaw also touches on the company's expansion into Bangladesh & Pakistan, challenges faced in those markets and how Nippon plans to grow in those countries. You can also view a video of  the interview at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/26000176See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimlun Corp Bhd CEO Sim Tian Liang on the Breakfast Grille.  He discusses its construction and manufacturing business and its strong orderbook of RM1.8bil. Sim also talks about how Iskandar Malaysia and IBS projects will continue to drive the construction division and touches on future prospects in Singapore. KimLun will also launch their maiden property project in Cyberjaya -- Sim reveals his expectations for the project and why Cyberjaya could be the next property hotspot. Finally, he shares his thoughts on the proposal by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to set up a Construction Court to resolve construction-sector disputes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is far behind countries like South Korea and Japan in terms of design. Dato Professor Dr Ahmad Rahim Zainuddin, the Chairman of the Malaysian Design Council, explains why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaun Di Gregorio, CEO of the iProperty Group discusses iProperty's business proposition and why the model works here.  He shares with us some key findings from the latest iProperty survey: What are Malaysians looking for? Where are they looking at? What's the sentiment in the property market?  Shaun also talks about why affordability is still a key concern and if the property initiatives announced in Budget 2013 will address these issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cocoaland Holdings is in the stage of an investment up-cycle. Planned capex is RM30 million, and annual capacity will be 4 million kg. According to AmResearch, earnings is expected to jump 65% to RM35 million in FY13. It is possible that sales and market valuation may double in five years, Tai Chun Wah, the finance director of Cocoaland, says. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The post-Budget 2013 panel discussion on the Breakfast Grille with Melewar Industrial Group CEO, Azlan Abdullah and Deloitte Malaysia Country Tax Leader, Yee Wing Peng. Listen to their analysis on the initiatives and incentives that were announced, as well as their thoughts on what did NOT make it into the budget. You can also watch the video at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25832319See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dato' Ahmad Zaini OthmanPresident and CEOof the financier,Malaysia Building Society Bhd.,  andYvonne Tan,Equities Chief Investment Officer ofthe investment management company,Eastspring InvestmentDiscuss Budget 2013 expectations, including: - Fiscal deficit - Govt debt - Corporate and Personal taxes - SME development - Financial Sector lieralisation - Affordable housing and property - Domestic Consumption - sustainable economic growth - issues - Sin sectors: alcohol, gaming and tobaccoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Breakfast Grille, Kumar Tharmalingam, CEO of Malaysia Property Incorporated, discusses: -- MPI's mandate to drive investments in real estate into Malaysia and its role as a matchmaker between foreign investment queries and local property players -- The international perception of Malaysian real estate -- Competition from other real estate markets, in terms of attracting FDIs -- MPI's report card and KPIs -- Issues/concerns that potential investors have brought up previously about the Malaysian property market -- Liveability in Malaysia; concerns over crime and safety -- The perception that foreign buyers are impacting Malaysian property prices -- His thoughts on if investors are putting off, or cautious about, buying into Malaysian real estate until after the elections -- What's on his Budget 2013 wish listSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lars Kroijer, Author of Money Mavericks: Confessions of a Hedge Fund Manager former CEO of Holte Capital, discusses: - Beginning a hedge fund - difficulties of raising capital; - Raising capital in today's risk environment; - Managing fickle investors; - Miimum AUMs to start hedge fund today; - Investing Strategy as USP; - Trading strategies; - Fees - reforms; - Regulation - developments; - The Next Big Thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Peter Zemsky, the Deputy Dean of Degree Programmes and Curriculum at INSEAD, the international graduate business school. He discusses: -- If enrolment for MBA programmes have dropped as a result of the global slowdown and if B-School applications are directly proportionate to economic health -- Which countries the applicants of the MBA programmes are they coming from, at which level of their career, and the average age of applicant -- If MBAs and salaries matchup in Asia, and specifically Malaysia -- How the new Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) has exceeded its expected number of admissions by 40% for the upcoming academic year -- The importance of Asia to the GEMBA programme -- How big the executive education business is for INSEAD -- Why INSEAD chose to introduced a new Singapore-designed admissions exam the first time this year as an alternative to the Graduate Management Admission Test -- How INSEAD maintain its rankings -- The challenges the school faces in getting the right faculty members and how its working to develop local teaching talentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vikram Chakravarty, co-author of 'Asian Mergers & Acquisitions : Riding the Wave' discusses how deal activity is on the rise in Asia, while comparing the differences between M&A in Asia and in the West. As outlined in the book, Vikram delves into how M&As can transform GLCs in Asia. He also touches on the post merger intergration, as clashes in culture have crashed many an M&A before.  Authors Vikram Chakravarty and Chua Soon Ghee are partners at AT Kearney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pandelela Rinong Pamg, national diver, first Malaysian woman Olympics medalist, and K-pop lover, talks about her journey, and the sacrifices of a champion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blaupunkt Group CEO Dr Lars Placke discusses:  - Current status of Malaysia manufacturing hub - Penang - skills - tax breaks - ease of doing business issues;  - Value chain - current - future;  - R&D - Moving to Malaysia - New Plant in Penang - Investment details: - plans invest total >12 million euros further expansion of activities Asia-Pacific;  - Challenges - rising costs;  - Japan Bank for International Cooperation (“JBIC”) survey - Malaysia lags Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam - ranking potential destinations for Japanese manufacturing expansion - response;  - Structure of deals with carmakers - requirements - specs - installation - expertise - client management;  - Recent deals - Bentley - insights - how deals with different classes and makes are structured - levels of customisation;  - “Entry-Level” standard image - response;  - Car Radios - Shift in focus towards Entry-level & Upper Mid consumers - Plans to move up to higher-end;  - Expansion - navigation systems - Tablets - Phones - WiFi hotspots - issues;  - Re-entry into headphones segment - competing with the Sennheisers, Shure - reasons - issues;  - Bosch alliance - supplier for coach installations - status - update;  - North American alliance - Rockford Fosgate - exclusive distribution rights - car multimedia and headphone range - North American market - issues;  - New directions: R&D;  - Product development - direction;  - Joint Ventures - India & China;  - Positioning - new markets - India and China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Russell, CEO of Boh Plantations, tells how she is keeping the 80+ year old brand relevant in the face of more competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview,  SEG International Founder/GMD Dato' Seri Clement Hii discusses:  - Transformation from Journalist to Businessman; - Failed Navis privatisation of SEGI - issues;  - Stint as Deputy Executive Chairman at Star Publications Bhd.; - Education blueprint - execution - political will - implementation; - SYF Resources - plans - issues; - Business climate - confidence - elections - issues; - Management philosophy - 'Johnny Comes Lately' approach - letting others make the mistakes;  - Plans - Business Newspaper - 'Focus Malaysia' -- issues;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC): --  gives an update on MSC Malaysia, clusters and companies;  --  discusses MDeC's process in the awarding of grants; --  the stacking strategy for the InfoTech cluster; --  performance of the Creative Multimedia cluster; --  the roll-out of Digital Malaysia and how it's different from MSC Malaysia; --  Digital Malaysia's three strategic thrusts; --  the eight projects under the Digital Malaysia initiative: how were they earmarked, how it will be implemented, and who will manage them; --  measuring the performance and success of Digital Malaysia; --  and he also shares his thoughts on Section 114A of the Evidence ActSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is an operational unit of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. It assists foreign companies wishing to establish their business in the Netherlands and to take advantage of the Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe. Karin Rancuret, the Area Director for Southeast Asia for NFIA, discusses the report card on investment pledges into the Netherlands, and which are the target sectors in Malaysia. She touches on some of the challenges that Malaysian businesses face when considering to invest in the Netherlands, e.g. the cultural differences, understanding labour regulations, EU tax structure, etc.  Rancuret gives us a preview on the key attractions, as well as the country's comparative advantage to other EU nations. She also talks about the impact of the Eurozone crisis on FDI flow into the Netherlands, and the country's relationship with other EU countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.